enterprise users Archives

Winsage

August 23, 2026

Microsoft Edge is ending support for MDAG and WIP in Windows 10

Microsoft has phased out support for Microsoft Defender Application Guard (MDAG), starting with its deprecation for Office applications in November 2023 and for the Edge browser in December 2023. By April 2024, MDAG was removed from Edge and other browser stores, and it was completely eliminated from Windows 11, version 24H2. Microsoft is finalizing the retirement of MDAG by discontinuing support in Edge entirely. The advisory MC1459132 indicates that this phase affects Microsoft Edge users on Windows 10, as Windows Information Protection (WIP) was already phased out in favor of Microsoft Purview in 2022. Organizations using WIP are advised to transition to Microsoft Purview Information Protection, Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Endpoint DLP, and Intune app protection policies. Users of MDAG should utilize Edge's built-in security features and consider other isolation solutions. Support for WIP and MDAG will officially end by September 2026, and functionalities related to them will stop in Microsoft Edge 154 and later versions. IT administrators are encouraged to begin migration activities to avoid disruptions.

Winsage

August 21, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 will auto-enable Point-in-Time Restore by default, how to check yours

Microsoft is introducing the Point-in-Time Restore feature in Windows 11 26H2, which will be enabled by default. This feature allows users to create backup points for their PCs, enabling them to revert to a previous state, including applications, settings, and files. It uses the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to create backup snapshots while applications are in use and retains backups for up to 72 hours, generating new backups every 24 hours. The feature will be automatically activated for eligible systems with a Windows OS volume of 200GB or larger when Windows 11 26H2 is released, expected between late September and early October 2026. Users can manually enable it on smaller volumes, and enterprise administrators can block it via Group Policy.

Winsage

August 19, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in 2 months

As of October 13, 2026, updates for Windows 11 Home and Pro editions, version 24H2, and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 will end. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will continue to receive support until October 2027. Customers are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2024. Devices running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will automatically upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, with users able to choose when to restart the update. Microsoft has stopped security updates for Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro editions as of November 2025. The free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for consumers has been extended until October 2027. Windows Server 2022 will enter extended support in October 2026, continuing to receive security updates until October 14, 2031.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft Scrambles To Patch ShieldBreak Zero-Day Flaw In Windows Defender

A new exploit named ShieldBreak, developed by Nightmare-Eclipse, targets Microsoft Defender by allowing privilege escalation and bypassing previous security fixes related to the RoguePlanet vulnerability. ShieldBreak operates on Windows 11 25H2, its Canary channel, and Windows Server 2025, achieving a "100% success rate." Windows 10 may also be vulnerable, but the exploit is specifically designed for Windows 11. There is currently no patch for ShieldBreak, and users are advised to disable Microsoft Defender, implement two-factor authentication, and exercise caution with suspicious online activities. Malwarebytes has recommended its Premium Security antivirus as a temporary solution.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

Windows 11 is fully removing a legacy tool that malware and ransomware have abused for years, meet WMIC

Microsoft is removing the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) from Windows 11 to enhance security by eliminating a tool that has been exploited by malware and ransomware. WMIC will not be included in Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2, with complete removal scheduled for the August 2026 Patch Tuesday update. The decision to remove WMIC is based on the availability of more secure alternatives like PowerShell. WMIC has been a vector for attacks, allowing threat actors to disable antivirus solutions and access sensitive data. Microsoft has phased out WMIC since 2021, encouraging users to transition to modern tools while continuing to support the underlying Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) infrastructure.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Fixing Windows 11 now does not excuse letting it become a mess for decades

Windows 11 is undergoing enhancements, with many features currently exclusive to Windows Insiders and still in the mockup phase. Microsoft is overhauling the Windows 11 interface, integrating WinUI into components like the Start menu and File Explorer. Windows Insider participants must update their systems to a new build by August 11, 2026, to avoid expiration of builds and ensure automatic updates. Lenovo's latest BIOS update for the Legion Go gaming handheld has made some devices inoperable, prompting users to avoid the update. The modernization of Windows has been criticized for not being prioritized earlier, despite significant user feedback. The Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is currently in short supply, and the Dell XPS 14 has a price reduction of 0.

Winsage

August 9, 2026

Dell is blaming Microsoft’s Windows 11 updates for a bug that broke 245+ PC models, but it’s all good now

Recent updates to Windows 11 have caused issues for users of Dell PCs, resulting in shutdowns, performance degradation, and overheating. Dell has released a list of approximately 245 affected models, including Alienware systems. Microsoft deployed an out-of-band update (KB5121767) to address these issues, which stemmed from an incompatibility between the Intel Innovation Platform Framework Processor Participant driver and the Windows USB-C Connection Manager. Affected devices could experience significant performance setbacks, unexpected shutdowns, increased heat output, and battery drain. Users are advised to install specific builds to avoid these problems, as rolling back the update is not an option. Microsoft is also working on improving driver quality through a new Driver Quality Initiative.

Winsage

August 7, 2026

Microsoft admits it force-installed AI-powered OneDrive on Windows 11, says it’s not training on your faces (really)

Microsoft has confirmed that it has force-installed the OneDrive Photos app on Windows 11 PCs, including enterprise devices managed through Intune, despite the app being designed for personal Microsoft accounts only. IT departments can either remove OneDrive entirely or keep both the sync client and the new app. Microsoft acknowledged the unintended rollout but has not provided further clarification. The OneDrive Photos app features an AI-enhanced "People" feature, which is disabled by default and does not analyze photos stored solely on users' PCs. Face grouping occurs only in the cloud on images stored in OneDrive, and any data collected is deleted within 30 days if the feature is turned off. Users currently cannot remove the app independently; doing so requires the complete removal of OneDrive. An update is expected to allow users to uninstall the OneDrive Photos app separately.

Winsage

August 5, 2026

Here’s when Windows 11 26H2 will roll out, and what’s actually new on existing PCs

Windows 11 26H2 is expected to be released in October 2026 as an enablement package, primarily serving as a servicing update to enhance stability for enterprise users rather than introducing significant new features. The support for Windows 11 24H2 will end on October 13, 2026, while 25H2 will be supported until October 12, 2027. Windows 11 26H2 will integrate into the existing servicing model of 24H2 and 25H2, allowing users to upgrade quickly with a small update size of 174KB. The system requirements for 26H2 will remain the same as its predecessors. New features include the rebranding of Windows Backup to "Windows settings backup and restore," which will automatically back up user settings and select personal files to the cloud by default. Another feature, Point-in-time restore, will be enabled by default for 26H2 users, allowing the creation of system restore points. This update aims to provide a consistent user experience and enhance business continuity without being a full operating system upgrade.

Winsage

August 4, 2026

Microsoft never learns, IT admins rage as a new OneDrive app invades Windows 11 and keeps coming back when you remove it

Microsoft has begun silently installing the "OneDrive Photos" app on Windows PCs, including enterprise systems managed via Microsoft Intune, without prior notification. IT professionals have expressed significant frustration over this unexpected addition, noting that the app is incompatible with Entra accounts and cannot be removed without uninstalling OneDrive entirely. The app functions as a web-based gallery feature, indexing and displaying photos stored on local machines, but its necessity is questioned due to the existing Microsoft Photos app. OneDrive Photos is linked to the OneDrive sync client, making it impossible to uninstall independently. Users have reported that the app appears in Windows Search results with an 'Uninstall' option but does not show up in the Installed apps page, leading to confusion. A script has been developed to remove the shortcut, but it often reappears due to its connection with the OneDrive sync client. Discussions with Microsoft suggest that the rollout may have been unintended, with an apology expected soon.